Portable multifunctional mobility aid apparatus

Abstract

A portable, foldable, and multifunctional mobility aid apparatus that assists a user in standing, sitting, and/or walking process. The apparatus has an integrated power source and is based on 4 wheels. Users can stand on it and drive it as an electric mobility device, or disable it and use it as a passive walker. The apparatus has a pair of supporting beams with adjustable width to be placed under the user armpits and support the user in standing up, sitting down, and/or moving around. The apparatus can be controlled by a control panel mounted on a pair of handles, and its functions can be controlled by the user with no need for help from another person. The apparatus can be minimized by a combination of multiple telescopic vertical minimization mechanisms and multiple folding mechanisms.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A multifunctional mobility aid device comprising:
 a base frame; 
 a standing plate mounted to the base frame; 
 a lifting mechanism mounted to the base frame; 
 a horizontal beam mounted to a side of the lifting mechanism opposite to the base frame; 
 a pair of supporting beams mounted to the horizontal beam and configured to be placed under a user's armpits; 
 a pair of handles attached to the pair of supporting beams; and 
 a control panel mounted to the pair of handles and configured to control a bi-directional vertical motion of the lifting mechanism, wherein 
 the pair of supporting beams include hollow cavities with square-shaped cross sections, 
 the horizontal beam includes a pair of first segments and a pair of second segments, 
 the pair of first segments have square-shaped cross sections adapted to be received by the hollow cavities, 
 the pair of second segments have cylindrical cross sections, and 
 the pair of supporting beams are foldable when moved over the pair of second segments. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the pair of horizontally adjustable supporting beams is adjustable by sliding the pair of horizontally adjustable supporting beams on the horizontal beam. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the standing plate in hinged to the base frame. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pair of free back wheels mounted to the base frame; and 
 a pair of motorized front wheels mounted to the base frame and controllable via the control panel. 
 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lifting mechanism includes
 a telescopic power screw system connecting the horizontal beam to the base frame; 
 one or more slider systems connecting the horizontal beam to the base frame; 
 a gear system in connection with the telescopic power screw system; and 
 a power screw motor in connection with the gear system, wherein 
 a rotation of the power screw motor causes a rotation of the gear system and the telescopic power screw system, and 
 a rotation of the telescopic power screw system causes the height of the telescopic power screw system to change based on the direction of the rotation of the power screw motor. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the telescopic power screw system includes at least two screws serially coupled to each other and configured to exhibit a linear driving speed upon the rotation of the power screw motor. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 5 , wherein
 each of the one or more slider systems includes at least two free pipes serially coupled to each other with a plurality of bushings, and 
 an end of each of the at least two free pipes that slides into another free pipe through said end includes an extended edge. 
 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the telescopic power screw system and the one or more slider systems can be minimized to a minimum height. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of horizontally adjustable supporting beams, the standing plate, and the base frame are foldable. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism on the base frame, wherein 
 the base frame includes a central portion and a pair of base frame beams hinged to the central portion, 
 the pair of base frame beams are foldable toward the central portion, and 
 the pair of base frame beams are held in a folded position by the locking mechanism. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control panel includes a lock-out mechanism that disables the device when the pair of handles are not gripped. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an orientation sensor; and 
 a tilt control mechanism that disables the device when a titled device orientation is detected based on a read-out of the orientation sensor. 
 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an optical detector; and 
 an uneven path control mechanism that disables the device when an uneven path is detected based on a read-out of the optical detector. 
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pair of outriggers mounted to the base frame. 
 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a trailer hitch connector mounted to the horizontal beam or the lifting mechanism and connectable to a trailer hitch. 
 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wireless communication mechanism that communicates with a wireless device or a wireless network. 
 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a GPS receiver; and 
 a locating mechanism based on the read-out of the GPS receiver. 
 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 17 , wherein the locating mechanism reports a location of the device to a monitoring center. 
     
     
       19. A multifunctional mobility aid device comprising:
 a base frame; 
 a standing plate mounted to the base frame; 
 a lifting mechanism mounted to the base frame; 
 a horizontal beam mounted to a side of the lifting mechanism opposite to the base frame; 
 a pair of supporting beams mounted to the horizontal beam and configured to be placed under a user's armpits; 
 a pair of handles attached to the pair of supporting beams; and 
 a control panel mounted to the pair of handles and configured to control a bi-directional vertical motion of the lifting mechanism; and 
 a magnet disposed on the lifting mechanism, wherein 
 the standing plate is hinged to the base frame, further comprising, 
 the standing plate is foldable toward the magnet, and 
 the standing plate is held in a folded position by the magnet.